Although Welland’s business improvement areas lost their bid to host a series of free concerts this summer, the city will have to work out details before a competing bid can be approved.

After a lengthy and divisive debate last week, council voted against a recommendation from city staff to award a $40,000 contract to the city’s two BIAs to run the series of free concerts at the Merritt Park amphitheatre.

Following the decision, Ward 1 Coun. Mary Ann Grimaldi asked for a report to be prepared for the Feb. 9 committee meeting that looks into a few issues regarding a proposal from the team of Welland residents Don Romano and Ralph Belvedere, who ran two of the eight shows that took place at the amphitheatre last summer; the BIAs organized six shows.

Grimaldi said council would then consider approving the contract at its Feb. 16 council meeting.

City treasurer Steve Zorbas said the municipality recommended against awarding the contract to Romano and Belvedere, who are operating their volunteer organization as R and B Productions, because their bid would have been more expensive.

While the BIAs offered to provide portable washrooms, and their own insurance coverage, he said the bid from R and B also included a request for the city’s $5,200 HST rebate bringing its total bid to $45,200.

The HST issue led to some confusion among councillors who were unsure whether or not the group was actually asking for the additional $5,200.

“From staff’s interpretation, the HST would be given back to the group,” Zorbas said.

Ward 5 Coun. Rocky Letourneau pointed out that representatives from the BIAs, and R and B were present during the meeting and would be able to clarify.

“Is it possible if we can get people to answer questions?” he asked. “They are here, both groups.”

They weren’t, however, permitted to speak due to procedural policies. Nevertheless, when discussion centred on the request for the HST rebate, both Romano and Belvedere could be seen shaking their heads.

Grimaldi said while was impressed with last summer’s concerts provided by both groups, but she said the BIA’s function is “to promote the city of Welland — not to produce events.”

“I believe that if we’re going to put money into events in the city of Welland, it should be done by a local production group.”

In comparison, she said, the BIAs would hire a company to organize the concerts.

Ward 4 Coun. Tony DiMarco said he was impressed with the R and B proposal because it is a volunteer group, organizing shows for Wellanders.

“I don’t know what more we can ask,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned there’s no comparison. R and B have a detailed report — everything is in place, the dollars are in place, although the HST is the big stumbling block here.”

Concerns about insurance coverage were a bigger stumbling block for several councillors who spoke in favour of awarding the contract the BIAs.

“Insurance is huge,” said Ward 1 Coun. Mark Carl. “One group (the BIAs) came to the table with insurance, and it removes the city from liability.”

Ward 2 Coun. Leo Van Vliet said a bid shouldn’t have been accepted when it didn’t include insurance coverage — particularly when the request for proposals included a requirement for providing event insurance.

“A $100,000 deductible is a lot of money. Welland could be out a lot of money in very short order, and I think they should be providing the insurance,” Van Vliet said.